Australia World Baseball Classic roster: Liam Spence, Aaron Whitefield headline 2023 WBC team

Jed Wells

Australia World Baseball Classic roster: Liam Spence, Aaron Whitefield headline 2023 WBC team image

The World Baseball Classic is here once again, and Australia have compiled a solid team who will travel to Tokyo in search of victory. 

After a prolonged sabbatical due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world's best baseball players will once again don their national team jerseys, in pursuit of being named World Champions. 

Despite missing star MLB pitcher Liam Hendriks - who is currently undergoing cancer treatment - the Australians have stacked up a deep lineup, headlined by Chicago Cub Liam Spence and LA Angel Aaron Whitefield. 

 In addition, there is a tonne of talent pulled from both the domestic league, as well as American and Canadian leagues. 

MORE: 2023 World Baseball Classic: 10 pitcher-hitter matchups we can't wait to see

Team Australia has put together a 30-man roster to compete in Tokyo, including 15 pitchers. 

Pitchers 

Player  Team  Throws
Tim Atherton Brisbane Bandits R
Sam Holland Brisbane Bandits R
Warwick Saupold Perth Heat R
Will Sherriff Perth Heat L
Josh Guyer  Sydney Blue Sox R
Liam Doolan Sydney Blue Sox R
Steve Kent  Melbourne Aces L
Jon Kennedy  Melbourne Aces L
Blake Townsend  Seattle Mariners/Melbourne Aces L
Dan McGrath  Melbourne Aces L
Mitch Neunborn  Quebec Capitales/Adelaide Giants R
Luke Wilkins Adelaide Giants R
Todd Van Steensel Gastonia Honey Cutters/Adelaide Giants R
Jack O'Loughlin Detroit Tigers/Adelaide Giants L
Kyle Glogoski  Cincinnati Reds/Auckland Tuatara R

Catchers 

Player Team  Bats/Throws
Alex Hall Milwaukee Brewers/Perth Heat S/R
Ryan Battaglia Brisbane Bandits R/R
Robbie Perkins Canberra Cavalry R/R

Infielders

Player  Team  Position Bats/Throws
Jake Bowey  Perth Heat  1B L/R
Darryl George  Melbourne Aces 1B/3B R/R
Rixon Wingrove Philadelphia Phillies/Adelaide Giants 1B L/R
Robbie Glendinning Kansas City Royals/Melbourne Aces INF R/R
Jarryd Dale San Diego Padres/Melbourne Aces INF R/R
Liam Spence  Chicago Cubs/Adelaide Giants INF R/R
Logan Wade  Brisbane Bandits  IF S/R

Outfielders 

Player  Team Position Bats/Throws
Aaron Whitefield LA Angels/Melbourne Aces OF R/R
Tim Kennelly  Perth Heat OF R/R
Ulrich Bojarski Perth Heat  OF R/R
Andrew Campbell Brisbane Bandits OF L/R
Jordan McArdle Adelaide Giants  OF L/R

Australia players to watch in World Baseball Classic

Current LA Angel and Melbourne Ace Aaron Whitefield will be one of Australia's key pieces when they go to battle in Tokyo. 

At 25 years old, Whitefield has already compiled a significant resume including three Claxton Shields and two ABL MVPs.

He spent the majority of 2022 in Double-A, but has made the big leagues on two occasions, and will look to bring some exciting play to the Australian team. 

On the pitching side, Liam Spence will look to continue his stellar momentum with his first WBC appearance, momentum that started with him leading the SEC in hits in the 2021 NCAA season and having already made a Triple-A appearance. 

Aaron Whitefield
Getty Images

MORE: World Baseball Classic 2023: MLB team-by-team roster breakdown

Who is coaching Australia in the World Baseball Classic? 

Team Australia will be managed by Dave Nilsson, the former Milwaukee Brewer, and MLB All-Star.

This will be Nilsson's first WBC as manager; he took over the team in 2018 following three ABL championships at the helm of the Brisbane Bandits.

Also part of the coaching staff is Houston Astros coach Michael Collins, who usually works with the Astros' catchers, but will be Australia's first base coach. 

"I think for anyone, any time you get to put on your country’s uniform, you get this sense of pride,” Collins told the MLB.

“Being a part of the Australian teams in the past, it’s always felt like it’s team-first, where regardless of who you are, where you’ve played, where you’ve coached, what you’ve done in the game, as soon as you put on that Australian uniform you’re in it together for that tournament.

"The team really does come first.”

Australia World Baseball Classic history 

This World Baseball Classic will be the fifth for Australia, who have not missed the tournament since its inception in 2006. 

Their best performance was a ninth-place finish in 2017, which automatically qualified the nation for the 2023 edition. 

Year Result  Final Game
2006 Eliminated in first round 6-4 loss to the Dominican Republic
2009 Eliminated in first round 16-1 loss to Mexico 
2013 Eliminated in first round 4-1 loss to the Netherlands
2017 Eliminated in first round 4-3 loss to Cuba 
2023 TBD TBD

Australia World Baseball Classic 2023 schedule 

Australia will be playing in Pool B, alongside Japan, South Korea, China, and the Czech Republic.

They will kick off their campaign with a game against South Korea, on March 9th.

Their final game will be against the Czech Republic. 

Each of Australia's first-round games will be played at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. It needs to finish first or second to advance to the quarterfinals.

Date  Game  Time (ET/AEDT)  Channel (U.S./AUS)
March 9 Australia vs. South Korea 10 p.m./2 p.m. Fox/Kayo
March 11 Australia vs. China 10 p.m./2 p.m. FS1/Kayo
March 12 Australia vs. Japan  6 a.m./10 p.m. FS1/Kayo
March 13 Australia vs. Czech Republic 11 p.m./3 p.m. FS1/Kayo

Jed Wells

Jed Wells Photo

Jed is a writer and social media producer, who has a keen interest in the intersection of sports and popular culture, especially basketball.